Aging With Schizophrenia: A Lifelong Experience of Multidimensional Losses and Suffering

Hila Avieli, Peli Mushkin, Tal Araten-Bergman, Tova Band-Winterstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the subjective experience of suffering in aging individuals with schizophrenia. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 participants aged 60-69. Phenomenological content analysis was performed. Nine dimensions of suffering emerged: social rejection; familial rejection; the symptoms of schizophrenia; hospitalisation; the side effects of medication; loss of employment potential; loss of independent accommodation; loss of social life, and loss of hope to be a partner and a parent. The suffering of aging people with schizophrenia is cumulative and ongoing and thus evokes issues such as existential loneliness and feelings of homelessness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)230-236
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of Psychiatric Nursing
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2016

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